REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
PRnewswire | May 10, 2023
FirstClose, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that America First Credit Union selected its FirstClose Equity™ solution to provide members access to a digital end-to-end home equity product that delivers a best-in-class experience and dramatically cuts down loan application approval times.
Industry analysis shows U.S. homeowners with mortgages have seen their equity increase by a total of $1 trillion since the fourth quarter of 2021, a gain of 7.3% year over year. While home equity lending is experiencing rapid growth, it continues to be a friction-filled process driving demand for a solution.
America First is a Utah-based credit union with 120 branches across Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico, serving more than 1.3 million members, making it the 5th largest credit union in the country in terms of membership. Using FirstClose Equity, America First will be able to reduce the time to close from initial inquiry to as little as one week, versus the industry average of 45 to 60 days.
"Our focus is always on our members, and our partnership with FirstClose supports our goal of delivering the best member and processor experience possible," said Austin Coleman, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending at America First Credit Union.
FirstClose Equity makes home equity a low-friction lending experience that consumers have come to expect. Consumers have one experience via a private labeled POS and borrower portal. The application process itself is extremely streamlined. With the member's consent, FirstClose Equity collects and verifies asset and employment information. Even the few pieces of information that the member is required to provide can be uploaded through the platform. The decisioning engine delivers a firm decision on CLTV and pricing in approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
"Because we absorb many of the fees for our members, efficiency at every stage of the origination process takes on greater importance, and automation on both sides of the transaction is key," said Coleman. "Through our integration with FirstClose, loan officers, underwriters, and processors never have to leave their LOS, which greatly increases our efficiency with home equity lending."
Founded in 2000, FirstClose offers lenders a user-friendly home equity technology solution to lend more efficiently, faster, and at scale. "We are thrilled to be trusted with such an important role of helping fulfill America First Credit Union's mission to provide their members with a simple and streamlined home equity experience," said Tedd Smith, Chief Executive Officer of FirstClose. "We are the category leader and are committed to advancing our technology so our customers, like America First, can focus on what matters most - their member's experience and improving their bottom line."
About America First Credit Union
Founded in 1939, and with a long-standing history of exceptional member service, America First Credit Union has become one of the largest, most stable, and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 120 locations, and is the eighth largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $17 billion, and the fifth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1.3 million members. For more information, visit americafirst.com.
About FirstClose
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company's mission is to increase profitability and reduce cost for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist the lender's borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs, and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit firstclose.com.
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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, BUYING/SELLING
PRnewswire | March 30, 2023
Pacaso announced today the launch of a limited-time opportunity for accredited U.S. investors to invest in the category leading technology-enabled real estate marketplace that helps people buy and co-own a luxury second home. The new investment opportunity with Pacaso is a two year, 10% annualized promissory note backed by luxury real estate. Investors receive quarterly interest payments with a return of the principal at the end of the two year term. The fund aims to generate strong risk-adjusted financial returns for investors and provides Pacaso with flexibility to offer more attractive financing offers for second home buyers.
Investors benefit by earning consistent, passive income, diversifying their portfolio with luxury real estate, and enabling expanded financing options for Pacaso that help more people become second homeowners.
"Pacaso owners are the gold standard for consumer credit quality. This creates a win-win opportunity for investors to make consistent, passive income and future Pacaso homeowners to lock in seamless financing," said Pacaso CEO and Co-Founder Austin Allison. "This unique fund is a smart choice for people who want a low risk and low barrier of entry investment opportunity to diversify their portfolio by gaining exposure across high-quality, luxury real estate, which has proven to be one of the safest places to park money during uncertain times."
As the category leader of co-ownership of second homes, Pacaso has seen a tremendous response from high-net-worth buyers to the company's attractive integrated financing solutions on Pacaso listings and resales within the Pacaso marketplace. Pacaso is uniquely positioned for growth and second home demand has been off to a positive start in 2023. Deposits have increased 90% in the first two months of 2023, compared to the last two months of 2022.
Certain statements in this presentation may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Pacaso's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "strive," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Pacaso does not give any assurance that Pacaso will achieve its expectations. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Pacaso assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
About Pacaso
Pacaso® is a technology-enabled marketplace that modernizes real estate co-ownership to make second homes possible and enjoyable for more people. Pacaso curates luxury listings with premium amenities and high-end contemporary interior design, offers ⅛ to ½ ownership with integrated financing, and, after purchase, professionally manages the home and supports seamless resale. Co-founded by Austin Allison and Spencer Rascoff in 2020, Pacaso operates in 40 top second home destinations around the world. Pacaso has been certified as a Great Place to Work and is recognized as one of Glassdoor's 2022 Best Places to Work.
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REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
PRnewswire | May 22, 2023
NexPoint, a multibillion-dollar alternative investment platform, today announced the acquisition of two life sciences industrial properties located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Frontida Biopharm, LLC, a company in the Adare Pharma Solutions group, which is a global technology-driven contract development and manufacturing organization focused on oral dosage forms for the pharmaceutical industry. The properties were indirectly acquired by NexPoint Life Sciences II DST, a Delaware statutory trust seeking to raise $42 million in equity from accredited investors via a private placement offering. NexPoint Life Sciences II DST aims to raise capital from investors looking for exposure to the growing life sciences real estate sector.
The real estate transaction builds on NexPoint's commitment to grow its presence within the life sciences industry and to provide best-in-class facilities for innovative companies in the research, development, and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology-based food and medicines, medical devices, biomedical technologies, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals.
The real estate acquisition includes nearly 18 acres of land across the two separate properties and more than 250,000 square feet of interior space where Frontida Biopharm, LLC will remain the tenant. The first property comprises R&D, production, and warehouse facilities capable of producing three billion tablets and capsules annually. The second property features distribution facilities and packaging capacity for four billion tablets and capsules annually and allows for potential expansion on its 12-acre campus.
"As the life sciences industry continues to evolve, we see increasing demand for quality properties to support companies across all stages of innovation," said Matt McGraner, NexPoint Real Estate Advisors' Chief Investment Officer. "We are committed to expanding our footprint in this critical sector with modern facilities that help life sciences companies do their best work."
About NexPoint
NexPoint is a multibillion-dollar alternative investment firm comprised of a group of investment advisers and sponsors, a broker-dealer, and a suite of related investment vehicles. NexPoint provides differentiated access to alternatives through a range of investment solutions, including public and private real estate investment trusts, tax-advantaged real estate vehicles, merger arbitrage and event driven strategies, other private real estate investments, closed-end funds, interval funds, and a business development company. NexPoint is based in Dallas, Texas and is part of a network of affiliates with expertise across the asset management and financial services spaces.
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